Jasper, Picture Meaning and Properties
Picture Jasper History
Picture jasper is known for landscape-like patterns that resemble desert terrain, distant mountain ranges and windswept plateaus. Its golden browns and warm red tones evoke the rugged beauty of the American Southwest. A naturally opaque chalcedony, picture jasper has been used worldwide for centuries, valued as both a decorative and symbolic stone. Once favored for ornamental objects such as vases and architectural accents, it is now especially popular in jewelry designs inspired by earthy textures and southwestern style.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Picture Jasper?
Picture jasper is a landscape stone that's believed to help us find our place in the world. When we've stepped off the path or gone down a path we never intended, picture jasper is thought to give the time and space alone to sort through things. Picture jasper meaning is thought to be linked to aiding inner silence and strengthening the recall of early memories so they can be understood and processed. Among practitioners of gemstone healing, picture jasper is a powerful grounding stone that promotes connection to the earth.
Some view this stone as a direct message from the Earth itself, instilling a sense of proportion, bringing comfort, alleviating fear and cultivating harmony. Although it is not an official birthstone, picture jasper meaning is affiliated with the astrological sign Leo.
What is Picture Jasper Made From?
Jasper gemstones are found all over the world, but picture jasper has large deposits in Africa and Brazil. Jasper in general is an impure silicon dioxide with unique patterns formed during mineral consolidation that creates the various types of this stone.
Four forms of picture jasper are found in Oregon: standard picture jasper, Biggs jasper (a stunning dark picture jasper), Deschutes jasper (similar to Biggs) and Owyhee jasper (a light "desertscape" picture jasper).
- Mineral Information: Silicate, chalcedony, quartz group
- Chemical Composition: SiO2
- Color: Cream, brown, grey, orange, other earthtones
- Hardness: 6-1/2 to 7 (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 2.58 – 2.91
- Refractive Index: 1.54 (Approximately)
How Do You Clean Picture Jasper?
Jaspers are durable materials, yet the best method for cleaning picture jasper is to simply use warm soapy water with a soft cloth or brush. Be sure to dry the stone and all jewelry settings thoroughly before storing or wearing.
Picture Jasper FAQ
Q: Is picture jasper rare?
A: Picture jasper itself is not rare, however certain hues and patterns considered more desirable are less common.
Q: What colors and patterns are typical for picture jasper?
A: Picture jasper’s layered, earth-toned landscapes can include hues of brown, cream, peach and gray.
Q: Are the landscape-like scenes natural or enhanced?
A: The beautiful patterns in picture jasper are due to natural mineral inclusions.
Q: What shapes show off the patterns best?
A: Picture jasper is gorgeous, no matter what the shape, but components with a large smooth surface, such as focals and drops exhibit the beautiful sandscape to fine effect.
Designing with Picture Jasper
The earthy browns, charcoal greys and creamy oranges of picture jasper offer a range of choices to designers. Picture jasper pairs well with golds and coppers, while gunmetal and antiqued silver finishes can bring out the dark greys in particular stones. Combine with carnelian to highlight the creamy oranges, with blackstone to underscore the grey banding and with metallic bronze fire-polished glass beads to make the dark browns "pop." Picture jasper's patterns are often subtle, so be careful of overwhelming the stone with other patterned materials.
A Couple Design Inspirations to Get You Started
Shop for Picture Jasper
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
How did you like this resource? Your feedback helps us provide resources that matter to you most.
Copyright Permissions
All works of authorship (articles, videos, tutorials and other creative works) are from the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Collection, and permission to copy is granted for non-commercial educational purposes only. All other reproduction requires written permission. For more information, please email copyrightpermission@firemtn.com.